Bengaluru, March 7 — Kannada actor Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was remanded in the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) until March 10 in a gold smuggling case. Following the court’s order, she broke down inside the courtroom.
Rao, 33, was caught at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night while allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold bars worth approximately Rs 14.5 crore. The DRI, which sought her custodial interrogation, stated that her activities could pose a national security risk.
The special court for economic offences in Bengaluru instructed Rao to cooperate with investigators and allowed her to meet her advocate for 30 minutes daily. It also directed the DRI to ensure basic facilities in custody as per Supreme Court guidelines and not to threaten her.
Officials had placed Rao under surveillance after noticing she had traveled to Dubai four times in 15 days. Following her arrest, she admitted to carrying 17 gold bars and revealed past trips to Europe, America, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia. Sources indicated she had visited Dubai 27 times over the past year.
Investigators suspect Rao was part of a smuggling network, allegedly earning commissions of Rs 4-5 lakh per kg to transport gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.
The seizure of 14.2 kg of gold is among the largest at Bengaluru airport in recent times. Further searches at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewelry worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.
Amid allegations that she exploited the protocol policy to smuggle gold, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the state government is considering revisions. “The Director General of Police has been asked to examine the issue and suggest changes,” he said on Friday.
Read More: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Held for Gold Smuggling at Bengaluru Airport
